GSLV-D5 Carrying Communication Satellite Blasts Off

An Indian rocket carrying communication satellite lifted off from the Sriharikota spaceport here Sunday.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has launched Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-D5 at 4.18 pm.The ISRO commenced a 29-hour countdown at 11.18 am at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota, 95 km on 4th January,2013.GSLV-D5 is carrying 1,980 kg GSAT-14 into the orbit from the second launch pad at SDSC.

The 50-metre-high GSLV-D5 is carrying GSAT-14 satellite into the orbit, will provide India with communication services, including tele-education and telemedicine. GSAT-14 will be the first launch satellite being inducted into space by ISRO this year.

After three continuous failures - GSLV-D3 on 15-4-2010, GSLV-F02 on 10-7-2010 and GSLV-F06 on 25-12-2010, the space agency took all the necessary measures for the success of the experiment. “This will be a very important experiment which will enable the ISRO cross another major technological milestone in space technology and we are confident of achieving our goal,” an official said. It may be recalled that the GSLV-D5’s first mission attempt with indigenous cryogenic engine was aborted at the eleventh hour on August 19, 2013, due to a fuel leak in its second stage. The ISRO scientists are confident about the success of the experiment. “Taking note of previous errors, we have set right all things,” an ISRO scientist said.

Disclaimer: We respect your thoughts and views! But we need to be judicious while moderating your comments. All the comments will be moderated by the NIE editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks. Try to avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines.